Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-19
CONSTITUTING THE COMMERCE ACT.
Important Rulings Of she Intefstate
COmnliSsiOn.

In addition to the rulings and interpretations OF
the Interstate commerce law, given In The STAR
yesterday, the Commission has made public rul.
ings covering the following points:
PENALTIES ONLY FOR INTENTIONAL VIOLATIONS OF
THE LAW.
They say the numerous petitions emanating
from commerce carriers, or inSttgaJed by them,
are based upon the assumption that the system OF
penalties which the law provinces as extreme and
the risk imposed upon unintentiOnal and un.
willing v1olators Of its provisions as enor-
nous. Such comment, say the Commits
sion, is neither fair nor just; it is only IN
territorial violations that the penalties are for
'Good faith" say the commission. exhibited In
an honest effort to carry out the requirements OF
the law, will involve reasonable and fair-mfnded
officials in no danger Of damages or fines The
elasticity Of the statute in their favor notice
able. The unjust discrimination OF section 2
must be in q like and contemporaneous SER
vice In the transportation of like kind OF traffic
under substantially similar circumstances and
conditions The preference or advantage of sec
uon must be undue or unreasonable Through
out the act, as 1t now stands In cOnfeSSedly eX-
perimental form, there is exhibited an obvious
ard generous purpose to allow to the corpora
u0nS ample scope In the conduct Of their business
as common carriers for the people, and fair con-
sideratien Of every reasonable clIim while insist
Ing upon just, impartial, open and consistent
subject alike whose situation is the same. surely
the people could not ask for less"
CHARGES OF COMMON CARRIERS MUST BIZ REASONA-
BILE AND JUST.
In regard to the course of common carriers in
increasing their rates, the Commission holds that
that is unjustifable. They say: 'The language and
the tenor of the act wholly fail to justify railroad
managers If any such there be, to refuse to accept
responsibilities decline to offer rates neglect to an
nOunce conditions OF traffic, embarraSS the Gus
tOmary interchange OF business and impose stag
nation upon trade while they 'stick in the BARK OF
the phrases and expressions OF the law, tnvent1ng
7ny1hf nd m 0Oir fnCP 40 iS
unjustifabe for railroad companies to make use OF
the general clauses Of the law ignOring1 its modify
impose additional burdens upon localities, trades,
professions, manufacturers, consumers, classes OF
travellers or employees, straining and repressing
treasury, and quoting the new law their author
ity for all manner OF petty eXactiOnS The powers
OF the Commission are entirely adequate TO cope
with such conduct, the existence OF which is not
affirmed, although 1t has been somewhat pub
ncly suggested. The same statute which enacts
all also provides that charges in every case, and
for every kind and class OF service shall be reason
able and just"
LONG AND SHORT HAUL
In reply to applications by railroads for suspen-
sion Of the long and short haul clause which do
not set forth facts to warrant such suspension,
the Commission state that the law lays down q
general rule which must be applied in all cases;
that the statement OF the railroad must be ver-
fed, and the Commission before granting the pett-
tion must be satisfied that the facts are as set
forth.
CHEAP RATES FOR PREACHERS.
As to whether railroads may transport ministers
OF the gospel at reduced rates. "There is no
doubt, Judge Cooley writes 'tof the right OF the
railroads to grant special privileges to religious
teachers and In deciding In good faith what they
will do they can scarcely be said TO incur risk OF
penalties Penalties are for willful violations Of
law, and not for errors OF judgment"
sfsCIAL RATES TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS.
In response to certain questions submitted by
81. L Muldfow, Acting Secretary OF the Interior,
as to whether the granting OF special rates by
common carriers to contractors with the govern
ment, enabling the latter to transport materials
and supplies sold TO the government at lower
rates, might be considered or held as the carriage
storage or handling OF property at reduced rates
Tor the United states. the Commissioners say that
while they have declined to consider abstract
questions, Difference to Government department
incinss them to answer !, tnis g1ery Tnsy decide
In the words OF the interstate commerce law, and
It is tmmaterial that It is done by contractors
when the Government receives the benefit OF the
tree Or reduced rates as L must be presumed to
expectation that such rates win be granted
R0BDKRIKs RRPoRT1D.-F. W. Drescher, No 2l5
18th street southwest. reports stolen from his hts
Massachusetts avenue northeast, reports the lar
ceny Of 81 worth OF clothing Jel Hoover, NO
l518 eth street, that on the 10th instant he was
essX b street @ southwest, reports the larceny Of
Of Is worth Qf carpenters tools
Patrick J. lewis the deputy recorder Of voters
WAS yesterday sentenced to two PEARS IN the peni.
Gov. biepa in his address at the anta-coercion
meeting u Wilmington, Del, last night. openly